ITV to launch Strictly rival show Shall We Dance?

ITV bosses are planning a rival show to BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' titled 'Shall We Dance?', due to air later this year at the same time as their opponents

ITV are planning a rival show to 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

TV bosses are rumoured to be creating 'Shall We Dance?', a competition featuring six celebrities performing with their other halves, to air at the same time as the BBC programme when it returns later this year at 7pm on Saturday nights.

A source told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: "ITV has seen 'Strictly' pull in massive ratings for ten years and they want to get in on the action.

"It's a pretty ruthless move to launch a dance show at the same time of year. The BBC won't like this at all - it could spell the end for their flagship show."

An ITV insider added: " 'Strictly' can be a bit old-fashioned. We'll have Bollywood one week and street dancing the next. It'll be much more fun."

The show - which was reportedly commissioned last Thursday (11.04.13) - will be on TV screens from the end of August before the new series of 'The X Factor', causing an overlap with 'Strictly' when it returns in September.

The source explained: " 'Strictly' has regularly aired at the same time as 'X Factor' in the past.

"But this year the BBC will have to compete with another dance show. This is bound to ruffle a few feathers."